Final: Spurs 110, Bucks 99

Riding an explosive performance from their supporting cast, the Spurs blew open the game early in the fourth quarter and cruised to an 11-point victory. Tim Duncan sat the entire final period, free to rest as Tiago Splitter scored 10 and Gary Neal added eight during the fourth. Neal finished with 22, tied with Tony Parker for game-high honors.

Third quarter: Spurs 76, Bucks 76

Trailing by eight early in the period, the Spurs fought back to tie the game on Gary Neal’s 3-pointer. The Bucks’ shooting dropped nearly 12 percentage points, from 55.3 to 43.5. The Spurs drilled four 3-pointers in the quarter after making just 1 of their first 11 attempts.

Halftime: Bucks 58, Spurs 52

The Bucks entered tonight’s game with one of the more mediocre offenses in the NBA. That hasn’t been the case through two quarters at the AT&T Center, where they’re shooting 55.3 percent from the floor.

The Spurs had recovered from a slow start to retake the lead midway through the second quarter, but Milwaukee closed the half on a 10-4 run to take a six-point lead into the break.

Ersan Ilyasova leads all scorers with 17 points, helping the Bucks thrive despite off nights by their lead guards Monta Ellis (1 for 6) and Brandon Jennings (2 for 6). Ellis does have eight of Milwaukee’s 18 assists.

Despite 15 points from Tim Duncan and 12 from Tony Parker, the Spurs are shooting just 39.6 percent, including 1 for 11 from 3-point range.

First quarter: Bucks 32, Spurs 29

The Bucks haven’t been all that effective in the halfcourt this season, but they’re dicing the Spurs up to the tune of 61.9 percent shooting. Monta Ellis, known more for his shooting than his playmaking, has orchestrated the offense for six assists, while struggling Ersan Ilyasova has already surpassed his season average with 11 points off the bench.

The Spurs are still in it despite missing their first 11 shots. Tony Parker had a team-high with 10 points, while Manu Ginobili has sparked the team with six points and a pair of assists off the bench.

Updated, 6:20 p.m.: Gregg Popovich said Boris Diaw — the starting center on opening night — will get the nod at small forward. Popovich also said starting small forward Kawhi Leonard, who will miss his ninth game with quadriceps tendinitis, has yet to resume basketball activities.

Pregame: Injuries continue to take their toll on the Spurs, who added Danny Green (hamstring) and Patty Mills (ankle) to a list already featuring Kawhi Leonard (quadriceps tendinitis) and Stephen Jackson (finger). While neither injury appears to be serious, the Spurs will be down four of their top 11 scorers for tonight’s game against a team that, while not exactly a world-beater, has enough talent and depth to pose a threat.